White Europe: 60,000 nationalists march on Polands independence day

Xenophobic phrases and far-right symbols mark event described by anti-fascists as a magnet for worldwide far-right groups

Tens of thousands of nationalist demonstrators marched through Warsaw at the weekend to mark Polands independence day, throwing red-smoke bombs and carrying banners with slogans such as white Europe of brotherly nations.

Police estimated 60,000 people took part in Saturdays event, in what experts say was one of the biggest gathering of far-right activists in Europe in recent years.

Demonstrators with faces covered chanted Pure Poland, white Poland! and Refugees get out!. A banner hung over a bridge that read: Pray for Islamic Holocaust.

The march organised by far-right groups in Poland is an annual event originally to mark Polands independence in 1918. But according to Nick Lowles, from UK anti-extremism group Hope Not Hate, it has become an important rallying point for international far-right groups.

The numbers attending this year seem to be bigger and, while not everyone on the march is a far-right activist or fascist, it is undoubtedly becoming more significant and is acting as a magnet for far-right groups around the world.

TVP, which reflects the conservative governments line, called it a great march of patriots, and in its broadcasts described the event as one that drew mostly ordinary Poles expressing their love of Poland, not extremists.

It was a beautiful sight, the interior minister, Mariusz Baszczak, said. We are proud that so many Poles have decided to take part in a celebration connected to the Independence Day holiday.

The march was one of many events marking Polands independence in 1918, when the country regained its sovereignty at the end of the first world war after being partitioned and ruled since the late 18th century by Russia, Prussia and the Austro-Hungarian empire.